Itineraries for Your Trip to Juneau
1 Day in Juneau for First Timers
I first visited Alaska's capital city of Juneau on a cruise, where my day was packed with whale watching and a visit to the Mendenhall Glacier. I didn't have nearly enough time to explore the town, and it wasn't until subsequent visits that I made my way up the Mt. Roberts Tramway to see the area from above.
With one day in Juneau, I highly recommend you book a tour that combines a few activities, or spend your day exploring the town on your own. The Juneau-Douglas City Museum is a fun stop for history buffs. This 1-day Juneau itinerary for first-time visitors offers the perfect day with all the must-visit spots.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a visit to the Mendenhall Glacier.
Summers in Juneau are typically chilly and rainy, with much colder winters.
If you’re visiting Juneau in the summer months, you'll want to get out on the water on a whale-watching excursion. The morning is when you're most likely to have the best conditions on the water, so you should set out early. The nutrient-rich waters around Juneau are prime feeding grounds for humpback whales after returning from Hawaii with their young. Some tours also pass by the Juneau Lighthouse during the journey.
Juneau is home to the Mendenhall Glacier, and an afternoon tour there should be on your itinerary. You can walk to the shore of Mendenhall Lake from the Visitor Center, or set out on a canoe tour to see the massive glacier up close. Thrill seekers can book a helicopter tour of the Herbert Glacier with a walk across the icefield, an experience you won't soon forget. Book a tour that combines a glacier visit with a whale-watching cruise if your time in port is short.
After your busy day exploring all the stunning beauty of Juneau, the evening is the perfect time to enjoy a meal full of king crab legs and crab bisque, plus a pint of local ale. This is also a great time to ride the Mt. Roberts Tramway (also known as the Goldbelt Tram), with views of the Chilkat Range, downtown Juneau, and Douglas Island during the ride. Once you're at the top, you can watch a short movie about the Tlingit people and shop for locally made gifts.
